21/10/23 – Gemma and Leo have gone off to their new home!
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Gemma and Leo are 13-year-old Cavalier x Poodles who came into rescue as their elderly owner was struggling. They are in an Oldies Club foster home near Woodbridge in Suffolk, waiting for someone to offer them a permanent home together.
For a little girl, Gemma has a lot of pseudonyms. From Gemini (her Sunday name), through Gemma and Gem-Gem, and finally arriving at her everyday name of Gem. From hereonin we’ll settle for just Gem, as she is a little gem! Thankfully Leo is a far more straightforward boy and he’s happy to simply be called Leo.
Settled quickly: Gem and Leo settled at their foster home in no time at all. At night they sleep on their own bed, in the bedroom – their foster carer has taught them not to get on the human bed. They happily sleep through the night from 11:30 to 8:00.
Can be left: They are fine in the house alone for an hour or two when you need to leave them. They sit by the door and greet you when you come home. Having said that, we do not feel that a home with people who go out to work would be suitable for them as they do like to have someone at home most of the time.
Very good with dogs: Gem and Leo are very good with other dogs at home. Leo likes to bark at dogs he meets on walks, but it just seems to be playful.
Not suitable with cats: Although we were told they lived with cats a long time ago, Gem and Leo haven’t had any substantial contact with cats since then. Leo does not like cats when he sees them out and about and he will try to chase them. We are therefore seeking a cat-free home for them.
Could live with older children: Gem and Leo enjoy having quiet lives and do not play or run around, but they should be fine to live with kind older children who will respect their age and love of all things peaceful.
Enjoy on-lead walks: They are very good on walks, but they haven’t been off the lead while in foster care. Leo’s recall is not good and is a work in progress. They are currently having two walks a day: 45 minutes in the morning and 45 minutes in the evening, which mostly consist of sniffing and wandering. They probably would be fine with slightly shorter walks, but they enjoy getting out and about and it is making them both fitter.
Great in the car: They are very good in the car, sitting on the back seat. When they arrive at their destination they are very excited to get out in the hope of an exciting new walking location.
Favourite pastimes: Sleeping, walks, food, and as many cuddles as possible!
Their ideal home: Gem and Leo would love to be with retired people, living in a bungalow or somewhere without too many steps, with a nice garden to enjoy. They are very good in the garden and do not go on flower beds or destroy anything. They’d enjoy living somewhere fairly peaceful.
Health notes: They are both neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, wormed and flea-treated. When Leo was young he had cruciate ligament problems on both knees. The vet says this was not treated at the time, which is why Leo’s legs get stiff. There is no treatment required, but he just needs to keep moving regularly.
More from their foster carer: “Gem and Leo are loving, happy, content and cuddly dogs. Gem is a little overweight, but this is being addressed by her having slightly smaller meals and only a few treats. She is responding well and has lost 2kg. Because of Leo’s stiffness he needs to walk about every hour or so. It got worse because he was leading a very sedentary lifestyle, but with his walks and moving around the house and garden you would not know now. He can even jump onto the sofa which is his favourite place. They are a very loving pair and will make wonderful companions for retired people.”
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If you would like to offer Gem & Leo a permanent home together, please read our Adoption Procedures for information about the adoption process. You can then contact an Oldies Club Rehoming Coordinator as follows:
Email: rehome@oldies.org.uk
Telephone: 0844 586 8656
They can be rehomed anywhere on the UK mainland – the closer to their foster home the better – subject to a satisfactory home visit. Note that you will be required to travel to the foster home to collect them.
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If you would love to offer a home to an oldie but your circumstances aren’t suitable, perhaps you would be kind enough to sponsor one of the special oldies we are caring for that, due to health problems, are unlikely to be offered a permanent home.
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